Lakers Interested in Interviewing Larry Brown

The Los Angeles Lakers are in the middle of a very extensive head coaching search. The team has been rumored to be interviewing almost every available head coaching candidate on the market in search of the right fit.

The latest rumors have the Lakers looking at NBA and NCAA champion head coach Larry Brown. Brown is the current head coach at SMU and has coached eight NBA teams during his lengthy coaching career, including the 2004 NBA Champion Detroit Pistons, who beat the Lakers in five games.

Another name on the Lakers interview list is Derek Fisher. The recently-retired point guard is starting to become this month’s Steve Kerr. After his accomplished career ended with the Oklahoma City Thunder season a few nights ago, Fisher is a hot name being linked to some big-time head coaching openings.

While there are plenty of rumors about Phil Jackson and the Knicks interest (and tamperings) with Fisher, another team that has been mentioned among his suitors is the franchise Fisher became a champion with, the Los Angeles Lakers.

However, unlike the Knicks, the Lakers are more than happy to take their time finding a new head coach according to ESPN.

Sources say that the Lakers, meanwhile, remain interested in discussing their vacancy with Fisher but also continue to proceed with a more deliberate coaching search than the Knicks.

The Lakers — who have interviewed coaching veterans Byron Scott, Alvin Gentry, Lionel Hollins and Mike Dunleavy, in addition to discussions with former Lakers player and coach Kurt Rambis and ESPN analyst George Karl — are not yet locked into one candidate.

The Lakers, sources add, have also internally discussed reaching out to Scott Skiles and former NBA championship-winning coach Larry Brown, who has spent the past two seasons in the college game at SMU.

While the Knicks seem to be focused on finding their top target and aggressively pursuing him, the Lakers are content to interview as many candidates as possible until they find the right fit.

You can’t blame the franchise after the failures of previous hires Mike Brown and Mike D’Antoni.

For Fisher, this likely means he will need to take his time if he wants to be considered by the team he played the majority of his career with. For Brown, it could be one more chance at a head coaching position in the Association.

For a team looking to find some long-term stability at the position however, Brown, known for growing bored and bolting from his position after 2-3 seasons, probably isn’t the solution.